SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ABP) — Albert Reyes, president of Baptist University of the Americas and current first vice president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, will be nominated for president of the BGCT this fall.
If elected, Reyes will become the first non-Anglo president in convention history. Charlie Johnson, Reyes' pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, reported he will present Reyes for president when the moderate-controlled BGCT meets in their city Nov. 8-9.
Texas is changing from being a predominantly Anglo culture to a Hispanic-majority state. Johnson called Reyes “the present incarnation of the future of Texas Baptist life,” adding Reyes has distinguished himself as a builder of bridges between cultures.
Reyes said electing a Hispanic president would make “a very strong statement to the whole Texas Baptist family — that there is a pattern of inclusiveness we've seen in the past few years…. It sends a message to Hispanic Baptists and other ethnic groups that Texas Baptists are serious about inviting all groups to the table.”
If elected, Reyes would become the second institutional president in a row to lead the convention. Current president Ken Hall is president of Buckner Baptist Benevolences, which provides ministries to children, families and the elderly.
-30-